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Blog & News

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Release at Honeymoon Island – Special K

Released Animals Updated August 5, 2018 Posted December 22, 2017

Special K

Sub-Adult, Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
Release Date
December 21, 2017
Release Location
Honeymoon Island State Park

Special K was brought to Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) on May 19, 2017, with large fibropapilloma (paps) tumors on both front flippers and smaller ones on all of the flippers. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was originally found by the Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy (CMERA) during a research trip near Anclote Key.

Special K Kemp's ridley turtle release

Rare Kemp’s Ridley with Fibropapilloma Tumors

While paps has been found in all species around the world it is most commonly found in green sea turtles. We believe this was the first Kemp’s ridley species treated here at CMA with the virus. In June we successfully removed all the tumors and our Veterinarian Team along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have cleared Special K for release. The sea turtle was released at the Honeymoon Island Ranger Station on Dec. 21, 2017, the same day as the Winter Solstice.

Special K Kemp's ridley turtle release

It takes our entire organization and supporters like you to make these success stories happen; please continue to support and help spread our mission to rescue, rehab and release marine life!

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249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
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